Photo © 2012 Markus Spiering
Click here for original image.
A hundred geeks with cameras. Yup, and I was buried smack-dab in the middle of ’em. Didn’t want to be there. Didn’t mean to be there.
I remember in a high-school science class, we saw a film of an amoeba eating a paramecium. The amoeba’s body flowed around its prey, and after it had the poor bug surrounded, it just, kinda… digested it, right there, just like that. The paramecium squiggled and squirmed, tried valiantly to escape, but too little, too late. And then—poof!—it shimmered and was absorbed into the predator. It was gone.
That was me, that poor, little paramecium. My goofy boyfriend pulled me in before I knew what was going on. And by the time I realized what was going on, I was surrounded, and being digested by an amoeba, and unable to escape.
Chet had begged me to come along. He said I’d enjoy it. For the record, I didn’t. But I was glad he was finally enjoying something. He’s been so bent out of shape since he lost his job last April. Laid off on April the first, if you can get that joke.
We scaled back on our standard of living. That didn’t bug me so much. But what really surprised me was how much it got him down. He stopped doing anything constructive, spent all day watching TV, wasn’t looking for work, said we’d do fine on his unemployment check.
We’ve been surviving on peanut butter and ramen noodles and pasta and frozen burritos. I don’t remember the last time I had a home-cooked meal.
I started by bugging him about his lack of work. He said he wanted a little vacation. I gave him a little vacation, then asked again. He said he was trying, but that nothing was available. I didn’t believe him, not that much. I asked him what job ads he had responded to each day. Most days, he just ignored me. Some days, yelled at me. I told him we could no longer afford cable TV. He convinced his parents to pay the bill.
I thought of getting ahold of a sledgehammer and having an “accident” with the TV set, but then I thought twice: we might need to sell it someday.
He was partially right, of course. There were no jobs in his field. But what bugged me most was that he was letting it get to him. His mind began wasting away to nothing, nothing at all, all day everyday. And as each day continued, he sank lower into the couch, and further into pity party.
I didn’t know how to snap him out of it. But his birthday gift did. One of his old office buddies sent him a digital camera, along with a really cool-looking book about how to take fun pictures about anything at all.
So when he threw himself into the hobby, and the hobby became an obsession, and a obsession became an endeavor, and when he began studying photography and framing and composition and lighting, and posted photo after photo to Flickr, and when he began hanging out with other camera-heads, and started talking about pursuing it professionally… I wanted to object. But not for the reason you might think. I wanted to object, because I was beginning to feel ignored.
But at least he was smiling again, and I had missed his smile. And the TV remained powered-off, except for the weekly exhibitions of his latest photos, which he would force me to watch, no matter how many hours I had worked that day.
Then, when he begged me to come to this big gathering of camera-heads, I gave in. I didn’t want to at first, but he pushed me and pressed me, and then he cuddled up next to me and told me about how much fun it was going to be to get away and that we hadn’t had a vacation in forever and that I needed a break—which was true. And he kissed me, and I melted and said yes. Sigh.
I hated it, didn’t enjoy it at all. There were no other camera-head-significant-others there. The food was okay, but the guest speaker spoke only camera-ese, and told only stupid camera jokes and camera stories. Then those assembled talked all afternoon about gadgets and techniques and awards, and showed each other the contents of their camera cases. Chet even got some business advice, which may or may not have been good advice, but he was enjoying himself, even though I had no idea what anyone was talking about.
“This is my girlfriend, Katy.”
And I smiled and faded into the background, maybe fondled a drink and tried to look interested in what they were saying while pondering the intricacies of the room’s potted flora. Too much, too far, too long. I was out of it. I so wanted to go home.
We started toward the door, walked out into the afternoon sun. I made a move toward the car, but Chet grabbed my hand and pulled me in the opposite direction. I looked up and saw that we were surrounded by a growing crowd, which was closing in around us on all sides. I was trapped, and one of the geeks with a camera was pointing it right at me. The other targets pointed their cameras back at him, but I was defenseless, hair akimbo, probably with a piece of spinach stuck between my teeth… not that it mattered, as no one could see my teeth.
The geek said, “Alright! Ready everybody?! Cheeeezzze!”
And everyone said, “Cheeeezzze!”
“Hold on!” He interrupted them, futzing with his camera. “Okay…”
“Quick!” said Chet. “Somebody fire before he reloads!” And raised his camera and took aim.
And that’s when the geek pulled the trigger.
Кодирование от алкоголизма в стационаре Балашихи. Мы предлагаем различные методы кодирования, подходящие для каждого пациента.
Изучить вопрос глубже – вывод из запоя на дому
Читать далее https://forum.hpc.name/thread/s241/113154/kak-snyat-frp-blokirovku-posle-ustanovki-kastomnoy-proshivki-na-samsung-galaxy-a3.html
пояснения https://forum.hpc.name/thread/q752/82803/realizaciya-avtorizacii-polzovateley-po-gruppam-v-microsoft-access.html
интернет https://forum.hpc.name/thread/q011/92277/modelirovanie-raboty-internet-shkoly-na-gpss.html
сайт https://forum.hpc.name/thread/w241/97013/kak-udalit-vse-chto-mejdu-tegami-i-zamenit-p-na-zamena.html
в этом разделе https://forum.hpc.name/thread/i921/122727/pervonachalnaya-nastroyka-aip-ssm-na-asa-5510-reshenie-problem-s-podklyucheniem-i-nastroykami.html
I can’t get over how enthusiastic and uplifting this is — WOW!
сопровождение 1с предприятие сопровождение 1с предприятие .
кликните сюда https://forum.hpc.name/thread/j550/116084/kak-formatirovat-fleshku-64-gb-v-fat32-reshenie-problem-s-formatirovaniem.html
Une histoire magnifique à lire en version dématérialisée. Tout le bleu du ciel est un bijou de littérature, un fichier ebook à télécharger pour profiter d’une écriture sensible et d’un scénario bouleversant, où que vous alliez. https://toutlebleuducielpdf.site/ Tout Le Bleu Du Ciel Film Combien D Épisodes
кракен вход
Промокод при регистрации 1xbet на 32500 рублей. Этот код нужно ввести при регистрации в соответствующее поле. 1Xbet промокод можно использовать только один раз, но им можно делиться с друзьями. Регистрация по номеру телефона — удобный способ создать аккаунт. После получения данных для входа остаётся лишь ввести логин и пароль. Используй актуальный 1xbet promo code today и увеличь первый депозит до 32500 рублей в букмекере 1хБет. На платформе действует бонусная программа, которая помогает игрокам получать до 130 % бонуса от первого депозита.
опубликовано здесь https://forum.hpc.name/thread/p150/74380/pochemu-c-populyaren-lichnyy-opyt-i-sravnenie-s-drugimi-yazykami.html
It’s amazing to pay a quick visit this web page and reading the views of all mates concerning this piece of writing, while I am also keen of getting knowledge.
see post https://jaxx-web.org/
Un voyage littéraire au cœur des émotions vous attend avec ce téléchargement. Le format PDF est pratique et facile à utiliser pour une lecture immédiate. Laissez-vous guider par la voix unique de Maryse Condé, qui raconte son passé avec une franchise et une émotion palpables. https://lecoeurarireetapleurerpdf.site/ Le Cœur À Rire Et À Pleurer Ebook Gratuit Français
каталог https://forum.hpc.name/thread/w012/96239/kak-proverit-stroku-na-nalichie-tolko-opredelennyh-simvolov-s-pomoshchyu-regulyarnyh-vyrajeniy.html
Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is an extremely well written article.
I will be sure to bookmark it and come back to read more of your
useful information. Thanks for the post. I will certainly comeback.
Смотреть здесь https://forum.hpc.name/thread/v462/115030/optimizaciya-sborki-igrovogo-pk-stoit-li-brat-seychas.html
find https://jaxx-web.org/
Узнать больше https://forum.hpc.name/thread/q761/66841/kak-ispolzovat-recaptcha-bez-formy-na-php.html
I will right away grab your rss as I can not to
find your email subscription link or newsletter service.
Do you’ve any? Please allow me recognise so that I may subscribe.
Thanks.
L’été de la maturité pour Cécile est aussi celui de la découverte de la cruauté, la sienne et celle des autres. Suivez ce parcours initiatique en téléchargeant le roman en format Bonjour Tristesse PDF, et découvrez pourquoi ce livre reste, décennies après décennies, un pilier de la littérature. https://bonjourtristessepdf.site/ Bonjour Tristesse Sagan Livre Pdf
http://crtba.org.br/222codigo_promocional_melbet_casino.html
Источник https://forum.hpc.name/thread/u000/94409/sozdanie-knopok-socialnyh-setey-na-javascript-dlya-sayta.html
look at more info https://jaxx-web.org/
Découvrez la modernité stupéfiante de ce roman écrit il y a près de deux siècles. Les thèmes abordés sont universels. Le téléchargement en pdf est un geste simple pour enrichir votre culture, vous donnant accès à une version intégrale et fidèle de le rouge et le noir pour votre plaisir personnel. https://lerougeetlenoirpdf.site/ Stendhal Le Rouge Et Le Noir Epub
https://leadsconsult.com/explained-a-simple-smart-and-modern-guide-for-beginners/
useful source https://jaxx-web.org
Вывод из запоя в стационаре Балашихи — надёжная помощь при алкогольной зависимости. Наши специалисты обеспечат круглосуточный медицинский уход и поддержку в комфортных условиях.
Получить дополнительную информацию – вывод из запоя вызов на дом в балашихе
плазменные медицинские стерилизаторы плазменные медицинские стерилизаторы .
проверить сайт https://forum.hpc.name/thread/x831/134422/kak-reshit-problemu-s-mikroshemoy-na-duhovom-shkafu-neff-c17ms22n0-43.html
перенаправляется сюда https://forum.hpc.name/thread/c151/115529/vosstanovlenie-udalennyh-fotografiy-mojno-li-vernut-utrachennye-fayly.html
Капельница от запоя — эффективный способ детоксикации. Мы используем современные препараты для быстрого и безопасного выведения из запоя.
Ознакомиться с деталями – анонимный вывод из запоя химки
https://trilhaseaventuras.com.br/articles/codigo_promocional_melbet_bono_vip.html
Источник https://forum.hpc.name/thread/f161/136563/kak-otobrazit-aktivnoe-okno-processa-na-peredniy-plan-v-c.html
I think this is one of the most significant information for me. And i’m glad reading your article. But should remark on some general things, The web site style is great, the articles is really nice : D. Good job, cheers
I’m grateful for the time and effort you put into this.
https://www.revistasegundo.unse.edu.ar/la-unse-abre-sus-puertas/
click for more info https://jaxx-web.org/
This article is a masterclass in the subject.
страница https://forum.hpc.name/thread/w910/124434/mojno-li-zamenit-mini-usb-na-micro-usb-v-elektronnoy-knige.html
пояснения https://forum.hpc.name/thread/b762/146690/sovremennyy-interfey-rust-gui.html
I am now not sure the place you’re getting your info, but great topic. I must spend some time studying much more or understanding more. Thanks for great info I was looking for this information for my mission.
Процедура проводится как в стационаре, так и на дому. Врач приезжает по вызову, проводит осмотр и измеряет давление, пульс, насыщение кислородом. После оценки состояния подбирается состав капельницы и начинается инфузионная терапия. В среднем процедура длится от 40 минут до 1,5 часов, в зависимости от степени интоксикации. По завершении врач наблюдает за реакцией организма и даёт рекомендации по восстановлению.
Углубиться в тему – капельница от запоя анонимно в воронеже
Смотреть здесь https://forum.hpc.name/thread/c422/137780/pochemu-pri-dobavlenii-russkogo-teksta-v-shablon-django-voznikaet-oshibka-unicodedecodeerror.html
I find this forum very interesting. There’s a lot of useful information here.
You’ve turned information into pure excitement — impressive!
каталог https://forum.hpc.name/thread/a890/77393/rabota-s-jtable-i-boolean-pereklyuchenie-znacheniya-po-kliku-myshi.html
другие https://forum.hpc.name/thread/e501/72093/kakoy-sposob-realizacii-klient-servernogo-prilojeniya-vybrat-v-c.html